Systems and methods for enhanced personal property replacement

ABSTRACT

A computer system for enhanced personal property replacement may be provided. The computer system may include at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The at least one processor may programmed to receive a plurality of user preferences transmitted from a user computer device associated with a user, receive a request from the user to cover a claim, determine a first plurality of items for the user based upon the claim and the plurality of user preferences, and/or transmit, to a retailer computer device associated with a retailer, an order for the determined first plurality of items with the retailer to be delivered to the user at an address associated with the user.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/834,985, filed Mar. 30, 2020, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/243,225, filed Aug. 22, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,672,080 on Jun. 2, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/294,674, filed Feb. 12, 2016,and is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/853,334, filed on Apr. 20, 2020, which is a continuation of andclaims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/243,210, filed onAug. 22, 2016, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,672,079 on Jun. 2, 2020,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/294,674, filed Feb. 12, 2016, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference, in their entireties and for all purposes,herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to enhanced personal property replacementand, more particularly, to a network-based system and method forgenerating an index of personal property owned by a user, preparing userpreferences of products, receiving a claim trigger event, and/orsubmitting an order to a third party to deliver equivalent products forthe user based in part on the index and the user preferences, whereinthe index is generated from a network signal and a prior purchasesignal.

BACKGROUND

The period of time following a homeowner's or renter's insurance claimmay be a disruptive and confusing one for the individual affected. Thoseaffected may be physically displaced from their residence, perhapspermanently. Their new or temporary residence may be unfurnished, and/ornot stocked with daily essentials. Insurance claims against “loss ofuse” and replacement of property damaged in the loss event may cover thefinancial burden of the loss, but there is a significant amount of timeand energy that must be spent by the policyholder on making arrangementsfor the replacement of their lost property. Additionally, a time lag mayoccur between the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by a policyholder andthe eventual payment of claims.

In the event of a loss of the sort that causes an insured to vacatetheir home or other primary residence, insurance agents may cut checksfor initial expected “loss of use” claims, which may be used fortemporary housing and other essentials. Claim disbursements for personalproperty may be typically made after a claim adjuster has made anassessment of the totality of a loss based upon the policy provisions.For example, some policy provisions include, but are not limited, to thepersonal property coverage amount, as well as any loss settlementprovisions such as “actual cash value” vs. “replacement cost”provisions. Personal property inventory forms (PPIFs) may be used (ifthey were previously completed by a policyholder and agent) to expeditethe process of claims adjustment and property replacement. However, thetime and effort of the property replacement—i.e. shopping for furnitureand other goods—is still a task the policyholder must perform.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present embodiments may relate to systems and methods for providingenhanced personal property replacement. A claim processing system, asdescribed herein, may include a claim processing (“CP”) computer devicethat is in communication with a user computer device and a retailercomputer device. The CP computer device may be configured to receivewireless traffic from a Wi-Fi network associated with the user, identifyone or more devices connected to the Wi-Fi network based upon thewireless traffic, generate a listing of a first plurality of items basedupon the identified one or more devices, generate an index of the firstplurality of items based upon the listing, receive a plurality of userpreferences transmitted from a user computer device associated with theuser, receive a request from the user to cover a claim, determine asecond plurality of items for the user based upon the claim, theplurality of user preferences, and the index, and/or transmit, to aretailer computer device associated with a retailer, an order for thedetermined second plurality of items with the retailer to be deliveredto the user at an address associated with the user.

In one aspect, a computer system for enhanced personal propertyreplacement may be provided. The computer system may include at leastone processor in communication with at least one memory device. The atleast one processor may be configured or programmed to: (1) receive alisting of a first plurality of items associated with a user; (2)generate an index of the first plurality of items based upon thelisting; (3) receive a plurality of user preferences transmitted from auser computer device associated with a user; (4) receive a request fromthe user to cover or handle an insurance claim; (5) determine a secondplurality of items for the user based upon the claim, the plurality ofuser preferences, and/or the index; and/or (6) transmit, to a retailercomputer device associated with a retailer, an order for the determinedsecond plurality of items with the retailer to be delivered to the userat an address associated with the user to facilitate quickly andautomatically provided household or other goods to the user after theirlife is negatively impacted by an insurance-related event (e.g., fire,tornado, or hurricane). The computer system may have additional, less,or alternate functionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

In another aspect, a computer-based method for enhanced personalproperty replacement may be provided. The method may be implemented on aclaim processing (“CP”) server that includes at least one processor incommunication with at least one memory device. The method may include:(1) receiving, at the CP server, a listing of a first plurality of itemsassociated with a user; (2) generating, at the CP server, an index ofthe first plurality of items based upon the listing; (3) receiving, atthe CP server, at a plurality of user preferences transmitted from auser computer device associated with a user; (4) receiving, at the CPserver, a request from the user to cover a claim; (5) determining, bythe CP server, a plurality of items for the user based upon the claim,the plurality of user preferences, and the index; and/or (6)transmitting, from the CP server to a retailer computer deviceassociated with a retailer, an order for the determined plurality ofitems with the retailer to be delivered to the user at an addressassociated with the user to facilitate prompt delivery of household orother goods to the user after an insurance-related event. The method mayinclude additional, less, or alternate actions, including thosediscussed elsewhere herein.

In yet another aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereonmay be provided. When executed by at least one processor, thecomputer-executable instructions cause the processor to: (1) receive alisting of a first plurality of items associated with a user; (2)generate an index of the first plurality of items based upon thelisting; (3) receive a plurality of user preferences transmitted from auser computer device associated with a user; (4) receive a request fromthe user to cover a claim; (5) determine a second plurality of items forthe user based upon the claim, the plurality of user preferences, andthe index; and/or (6) transmit, to a retailer computer device associatedwith a retailer, an order for the determined second plurality of itemswith the retailer to be delivered to the user at an address associatedwith the user. The computer-executable instructions may directadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein.

In still another aspect, a computer system for enhanced personalproperty replacement may be provided. The computer system may include atleast one processor in communication with at least one memory device.The at least one processor may be programmed to (1) receive a pluralityof user preferences transmitted from a user computer device associatedwith a user; (2) receive a request from the user to cover a claim; (3)determine a first plurality of items for the user based upon the claimand the plurality of user preferences; and/or (4) transmit, to aretailer computer device associated with a retailer, an order for thedetermined first plurality of items with the retailer to be delivered tothe user at an address associated with the user to facilitate deliveryof household or other goods after an insurance-related event. Thecomputer system may include additional, less, or alternatefunctionality, including that discussed elsewhere herein.

In a different aspect, a computer-based method for enhanced personalproperty replacement may be provided. The method may be implemented on aclaim processing (“CP”) server that includes at least one processor incommunication with at least one memory device. The method may include(1) receiving, at the CP server, at a plurality of user preferencestransmitted from a user computer device associated with a user; (2)receiving, at the CP server, a request from the user to cover a claim;(3) determining, by the CP server, a plurality of items for the userbased upon the claim and the plurality of user preferences; and/or (3)transmitting, from the CP server to a retailer computer deviceassociated with a retailer, an order for the determined plurality ofitems with the retailer to be delivered to the user at an addressassociated with the user. The method may include additional, less, oralternate actions, including those discussed elsewhere herein.

In a further aspect, at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereonmay be provided. When executed by at least one processor, thecomputer-executable instructions may cause the processor to receive aplurality of user preferences transmitted from a user computer deviceassociated with a user, receive a request from the user to cover aclaim, determine a first plurality of items for the user based upon theclaim and the plurality of user preferences, and transmit, to a retailercomputer device associated with a retailer, an order for the determinedfirst plurality of items with the retailer to be delivered to the userat an address associated with the user. The instructions may directadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments which have beenshown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, thepresent embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments,and their details are capable of modification in various respects.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figuredepicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed systemsand methods, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingFigures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presentlydiscussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodimentsare not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalitiesshown, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process for processingpersonal property replacement claims including automatic ordering offurniture and other household goods in accordance with one embodiment ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system forimplementing the process shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary computer-implementedprocess for processing personal property replacement claims using thesystem shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a client computerdevice shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a server shown in FIG.2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of components of one or more exemplarycomputing devices that may be used in the system shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7 depicts a mobile device application (“App”) for use with thepresent personal property replacement service.

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system forreordering household goods in accordance with the process shown in FIG.1 .

The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustrationonly. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the followingdiscussion that alternative embodiments of the systems and methodsillustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principlesof the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments may relate to, inter alia, systems and methodsfor processing personal property replacement claims including automaticordering of furniture and other household goods. In an exemplaryembodiment, the process is performed by a claims processing (“CP”)computer device, also known as a claims processing (“CP”) server. In theexemplary embodiment, the policyholder has worked with the insuranceprovider associated with the policy to list all of the personal propertyowned by the policyholder that would be covered by the insurance policyprior to any event occurring that causes a loss for an insurancepolicyholder. For instance, a user may generate a list of personalproperty, such as by capturing images or video of household belongingsusing their mobile device, and then having a processor use objectrecognition techniques on the images or video captured by a mobiledevice identify individual items. Based upon this list, an index may begenerated by the CP server. In other embodiments, the index may begenerated from signals from devices that are connected to the CP serverthrough the Internet.

In a first example, the CP server may receive information from one ormore smart home devices in the policyholder's residence. In thisexample, the CP server may determine which components where connected tothe smart home system, such as, but not limited to, smart locks,furnaces, air conditioners, thermostats, light bulbs, and any otherdevice run through the smart home device, such as through a smart homehub. In a second example, the CP server may receive information aboutthe devices connected to the Wi-Fi network at the policyholder'sresidence. In this example, the CP server may receive message trafficdata, log data, or other data that allows the CP server to identify thedevices that connected to the policyholder's network. These devices mayinclude laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, IP cameras, smartrefrigerators, smart stoves, and other wireless connected devices. TheCP server may be able to determine a make and model associated with eachelectronic device that connected to the network, such as by PINs, oridentification or manufacturer numbers.

In another example, the CP server receives data from computer devicesassociated with one or more retailers to determine household goods thatthe policyholder has purchased. The CP server may use the data todetermine the purchases made by the policyholder over various periods oftime. This data may include makes, models, and quantities of householdgoods purchased by the policyholder. In yet another example, thepolicyholder may take video or pictures of his house and possessions toshow what he currently owns and is keeping in the house and transmitthat video to the CP server to assist in generating the index. The CPserver may then, for example, run pattern recognition, objectrecognition, optical character recognition, or other machine learningtechniques to identify goods, and current quality, quantify, or statusof the goods.

The policyholder may also prepare lists of his/her possessions, such aseither manually or by using his or her mobile device and image analysis.These possessions may include household goods owned by the policyholder.It is important to have these lists made up before a loss occurs, as itmay be hard for the policyholder to remember everything after the fact.In addition, performing this index prior to a loss helps to prevent thepolicyholder from listing items as lost that the policyholder didn'town. These listings are also important for determining the replacementvalue and the depreciated value of the reported lost items, and/orfacilitate more accurate risk assessment and claim handling.

In addition, the policyholder may determine their replacementpreferences in the case of a loss occurring. The policyholder may listhis/her replacement preferences for when a loss occurs, which are storedby the CP server and/or their mobile devoice. For example, thepolicyholder may determine that he would want to replace a lost diningroom set with the exact same set, if the original set was lost ordamaged, for example in a fire. The policyholder may also decide that hewould want to replace his plates with the exact set that he had beforethe loss event.

At some point an event occurs that causes a loss for the policyholder.This event could be any event that results in a loss for thepolicyholder that causes the policyholder to submit a claim. Forexample, the event may be a fire or storm damage to the policyholder'shouse. This event may cause the policyholder to lose his residence andhave to move to another address, either permanently or temporarily. Inanother example, the loss could be a partial loss. For example, eitherwhere the policyholder's home is only partially damaged, or where thepolicyholder's vehicle was broken into and several items were taken outof the vehicle.

The CP server initiates an order for replacement property for thepolicyholder. This replacement property is delivered to the policyholderfrom a third party. In the example of the house fire, the replacementproperty may a replacement dining room set. Or the replacement propertymay be household essentials, which may be goods that are used up by thepolicyholder in everyday life, such as toilet paper, laundry detergent,trash bags, and towels. In the vehicle example, the replacement propertymay be replacement items for all of the items stolen from the vehicle.In another embodiment, the replacement property may include both durablegoods and household essentials, which may be goods that allow thepolicyholder to live in his temporary residence, such as plates andutensils. The third party may be a retailer, such as a big box store, agrocery store, or some other store that the insurance provider haspartnered with.

The third party may receive the order from the CP server and ship thereplacement goods to the policyholder. For example, if the policyholderis living in a new house, then the replacement goods may be shippeddirectly there. Or if the policyholder is living in a temporaryresidence, such as an extended stay hotel, the replacement goods wouldbe shipped to that hotel.

When a claim is initially processed, the CP server may create a claimfund based upon the policy and the items lost. The CP server may adjustthe claim fund based upon the items lost, the availability of directreplacements, the replacement costs for items lost, and/or thedepreciation associated with the lost items. For each order ofreplacement property shipped to the policyholder, the CP server mayreduce the claim fund based upon the cost of the replacement propertyshipped to the policyholder. In some embodiments, the entire cost of thereplacement property may be deducted from the claim fund. In otherembodiments, the CP server may only deduct a portion of the cost of thereplacement property from the claim fund. The CP server may transfer theremaining balance from the claim fund to the policyholder.

At least one of the technical problems addressed by this system mayinclude: (i) improving speed and efficiency of replacing items coveredby an insurance claim; (ii) improving accuracy and reducing fraud (orbuildup) on determining items owned by a policyholder prior to a lossevent; (iii) saving time for policyholder in replacing lost items; (iv)saving time for policyholder in purchasing household essentials after aloss event; and/or (v) streamlining the item replacement process tofaster process claims.

The technical effect achieved by this system may be at least one of: (i)automated detection of items owned by the policyholder; (ii) automatedordering of replacement items based upon items owned by policyholder andpolicyholder preferences; (iii) automated and/or simplified calculationof claim amounts; (iv) automated and/or simplified alteration of finalclaim amounts; (v) improved speed in processing claims; (vi) improvedspeed in responding to policyholder needs; (vii) improved speed ingenerating, processing, and/or issuing claims and/or claim disbursementsafter an insurance claim event; and/or (viii) more accurate replacementcost determination and ordering.

The methods and systems described herein may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware, or any combination or subset thereof,wherein the technical effects may be achieved by performing at least oneof the following steps: (a) receiving, at a claim processing server, aplurality of user preferences transmitted from a user computer deviceassociated with a user; (b) receiving, at the claim processing server, arequest from the user to cover a claim; (c) determining, at the claimprocessing server, a plurality of items for the user based upon theclaim and the plurality of user preferences; and/or (d) transmitting,from the claim processing server to a retailer computer deviceassociated with a retailer, an order for the determined plurality ofitems with the retailer to be delivered to the user at an addressassociated with the user.

Exemplary Process for Processing Personal Property Replacement Claims

FIG. 1 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary process 100 for processingpersonal property replacement claims including automatic ordering ofhousehold goods. Examples of household goods may include, but are notlimited to, furniture, electronics, kitchen utensils, bathroom products(soap, shampoo, towels, shower curtains, etc.), and any other productsthat may be used by or consumed within a household.

In the exemplary embodiment, process 100 may be performed by a claimsprocessing (“CP”) computer device, also known as a claims processing(“CP”) server 212 (shown in FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, thepolicyholder has worked with the insurance provider associated with thepolicy to list all of the personal property owned by the policyholderthat would be covered by the insurance policy prior to any eventoccurring that causes a loss for an insurance policyholder.

For instance, the policyholder and/or an insurance agent may walk abouta home with their mobile device, and acquire pictures, images, or videoof the home and household goods. The mobile device may perform objectrecognition, optical character recognition, pattern recognition, orother machine learning techniques to identify and characterize variousgoods within the home. Additionally or alternatively, the image data maybe transmitted via wireless communication or data transmission over oneor more radio frequency links to a remote server, and the remote servermay analyze the image data to identify goods, such as using objectionrecognition or machine learning techniques.

A virtual list of household and other goods may be generated by themobile device or the remote server, such as the CP server 212. Basedupon this list, an index may be generated 105 by CP server 212. In otherembodiments, the index may be generated from signals from devices thatare connected to CP server 212 through the Internet.

In a first example, CP server 212 may receive information from one ormore smart home devices in the policyholder's residence. In thisexample, CP server 212 may determine which components where connected tothe smart home system, such as, but not limited to, smart locks,furnaces, air conditioners, thermostats, light bulbs, and any otherdevice run through the smart home device, such as through a smart homehub. In a second example, CP server 212 may receive information aboutthe devices connected to the Wi-Fi network at the policyholder'sresidence. In this example, CP server 212 may receive message trafficdata, log data, or other data that allows CP server 212 to identify thedevices that connected to the policyholder's network. These devices mayinclude laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, IP cameras, smartrefrigerators, smart stoves, and other wireless connected devices ormobile devices. CP server 212 may be able to determine a make and modelassociated with each electronic device that is connected to the network.In another example, CP server 212 may receive data from computer devicesassociated with one or more retailers to determine household goods thatthe policyholder has historically purchased either through the one ormore retailers' online presences or through their actual physicallocations (i.e., brick and mortar stores).

CP server 212 may use the data to determine the purchases made by thepolicyholder over various periods of time. This data may include makes,models, and quantities of household goods purchased by the policyholder.In yet another example, the policyholder may take video or pictures ofhis house and possessions to show what he currently owns and is keepingin the house, and transmit that video to CP server 212 to assist ingenerating the index, such as by performing object recognition, opticalcharacter recognition, or machine learning techniques on the image dataof the house and possessions.

The policyholder may also prepare lists of his/her possessions, such asmanually created lists, or virtual lists created via a mobile device orcomputing device. These possessions may include household goods owned bythe policyholder. It is important to have these lists made up before aloss occurs, as it may be hard for the policyholder to remembereverything after the fact. In addition, these listings may also beimportant for determining the replacement value and the depreciatedvalue of the reported lost items.

In addition, the policyholder may determine what his/her replacementpreferences are in the case of a loss occurring. The policyholder maylist 110 replacement preferences for when a loss occurs, which may bestored by CP server 212. For example, the policyholder may determinethat he/she would want to replace a lost dining room set with the exactsame set, if the original set was lost, for example in a fire. Thepolicyholder may also decide that he/she would want to replace hisplates with the exact set that he/she had before the loss event.

At some point an event may occur 115 that causes a loss for thepolicyholder. This event could be any event that results in a loss forthe policyholder that causes the policyholder to submit a claim. Forexample, the event may be a fire or storm damage to the policyholder'shouse. This event may cause the policyholder to lose his/her residenceand have to move to another address, either permanently or temporarily.In another example, the loss could be a partial loss. For example,either where the policyholder's home is only partially damaged, or wherethe policyholder's vehicle was broken into and several items were takenout of the vehicle.

CP server 212 may initiate 120 an order for replacement property for thepolicyholder. This replacement property may be delivered 125 to thepolicyholder from a third party. In the example of the house fire, thereplacement property may be a replacement dining room set. Or thereplacement property may be household essentials, which are goods thatare used up by the policyholder in everyday life, such as toilet paperand trash bags. In the vehicle example, the replacement property may bereplacement items for all of the items stolen from the vehicle. Inanother embodiment, the replacement property may include both durablegoods and household essentials, which may be goods that allow thepolicyholder to live in his temporary residence, such as plates andutensils and groceries. The third party may be a retailer, such as a bigbox store or grocery store. The third party receives the order from CPserver 212 and ships the replacement goods to the policyholder. Forexample, if the policyholder is living in a new house, then thereplacement goods may be shipped directly there. Or if the policyholderis living in a temporary residence, such as an extended stay hotel, thereplacement goods would be shipped to that hotel.

When a claim is initially processed, CP server 212 creates a claim fundbased upon the policy and the items lost. CP server 212 may adjust theclaim fund based upon the items lost, the availability of directreplacements, the replacement costs for items lost, and/or thedepreciation associated with the lost items.

For each order of replacement property shipped to the policyholder, CPserver 212 may reduce 130 the claim fund based upon the cost of thereplacement property shipped to the policyholder. In some embodiments,the entire cost of the replacement property may be deducted from theclaim fund. In other embodiments, CP server 212 may only deduct aportion of the cost of the replacement property from the claim fund. CPserver 212 may transfer 135 the remaining balance from the claim fund tothe policyholder.

Exemplary Computer Network

FIG. 2 depicts a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system 200 forimplementing process 100 shown in FIG. 1 . In the exemplary embodiment,system 200 may be used for determining items to order for a user,placing the order, and updating the pending claim based upon the order.As described below in more detail, claim processing (“CP”) server 212may be configured to receive a plurality of user preferences transmittedfrom a user computer device associated with a user, receive a requestfrom the user to cover a claim, determine a first plurality of items forthe user based upon the claim and the plurality of user preferences,and/or transmit, to a retailer computer device associated with aretailer, an order for the determined first plurality of items with theretailer to be delivered to the user at an address associated with theuser.

In the exemplary embodiment, client computer devices 214 are computersthat include a web browser or a software application, which enablesclient computer devices 214 to access CP server 212 using the Internet.More specifically, client computer devices 214 are communicativelycoupled to the Internet through many interfaces including, but notlimited to, at least one of a network, such as the Internet, a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN), a dial-up-connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL), a cellular phone connection, and a cable modem. Client computerdevices 214 may be any device capable of accessing the Internetincluding, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a smartphone, atablet, a phablet, wearable electronics, smart watch, or other web-basedconnectable equipment or mobile devices.

A database server 216 may be communicatively coupled to a database 220that stores data. In one embodiment, database 220 may include listingsof household items owned by the policyholder, where the household itemsinclude durable goods like furniture and household essentials liketoilet paper, trash bags, and groceries; claims received from thepolicyholder; and/or preferences provided by the policyholder. In theexemplary embodiment, database 220 may be stored remotely from CP server212. In some embodiments, database 220 may be decentralized. In theexemplary embodiment, a person may access database 220 via clientcomputer devices 214 by logging onto CP server 212, as described herein.

CP server 212 may be communicatively coupled with the client computerdevices 214. In some embodiments, CP server 212 may be associated with,or is part of a computer network associated with an insurance provider,or in communication with the insurance provider's computer network (notshown). In other embodiments, CP server 212 may be associated with athird party and is merely in communication with the insurance provider'scomputer network.

One or more ecommerce retailer servers 228 may be communicativelycoupled with CP server 212. The one or more ecommerce retailer servers228 each may be associated with an ecommerce retailer 226. Ecommerceretailer 226 may sell products and services to customers over theInternet. In some embodiments, ecommerce retailer 226 may also sellproducts and services at a physical location. Customers may purchaseproducts online from ecommerce retailer 226 for delivery to a locationchosen by the customer. For example, a customer may purchase an item,such as a book or household item, from an ecommerce retailer 226 througha website hosted on ecommerce retailer server 228. Ecommerce retailer226 may ship the item to the customer's location, such as the customer'sresidence. CP server 212 may be coupled to ecommerce retailer server 228so that CP server 212 may place orders for products from ecommerceretailer 226.

Exemplary Computer-Implemented Method for Processing Personal PropertyReplacement Claims

FIG. 3 depicts a flow chart of an exemplary computer implemented process300 for processing personal property replacement claims using system 200shown in FIG. 2 . Process 300 may be implemented by a computing device,for example CP server 212 (shown in FIG. 2 ). In the exemplaryembodiment, CP server 212 may be in communication with ecommerceretailer server 228 and client computer device 214 (shown in FIG. 2 ).

In the exemplary embodiment, CP server 212 may receive 305 a pluralityof user preferences transmitted from a user computer device associatedwith a user (also known herein as a policyholder). In some embodiments,the user may be an insurance agent working on behalf of thepolicyholder. For example, the user computer device may be clientcomputer device 214. In some embodiments, CP server 212 may receive theuser preferences through an application hosted on a user mobile device,such as a smartphone. In other embodiments, CP server 212 may receivethe user preferences through a website associated with the insuranceprovider. User preferences may include, but are not limited to,policyholder address, replacement preferences, and household essentialsused by the policyholder, such manufacturers of preferred dish soap,laundry soap, type of towel, type of paper plates and plastic cups, typeof silverware or drinking glasses, type of clothes (and sizes), type oftoilet paper or paper towels, type of bottled water or soda, type ofgroceries or snacks (e.g., meat or potato chips), etc. This step mayoccur during step 110 of process 100, shown in FIG. 1 .

The step may also occur after the event has occurred in step 115, shownin FIG. 1 . In this situation, the user may enter the policyholder'scurrent address or shipping address. CP server 212 may receive 310 arequest from the user to cover a claim. This may occur after the eventhas occurred in step 115, and the policyholder is making a claim forlost items, such as after a fire, hurricane, tornado, or robbery.

CP server 212 may determine 315 a first plurality of items for thepolicyholder based upon the claim and the plurality of user preferences.For example, CP server 212 may determine a plurality of items for thepolicyholder that include everyday household essentials for thepolicyholder. The user preferences may include brand and quantityinformation about the items, so that CP server 212 may determine thatthe policyholder needs 24 rolls of toilet paper and one medium size boxof trash bags for a one month stay in temporary housing. In anotherexample, CP server 212 may determine that the policyholder desires toreplace his lost or damaged dining room set with the same model set. CPserver 212 may determine that the policyholder wants to replace his losttelevision. However, since the model of television that the policyholderpreviously owned is no longer being sold, CP server 212 may determine areplacement model of television for the policyholder based upon thepreviously owned model.

CP server 212 may transmit 320 an order for the determined firstplurality of items with ecommerce retailer 226 (shown in FIG. 2 ) to bedelivered to the policyholder at an address associated with thepolicyholder. CP server 212 may determine the address based upon theuser preferences. The policyholder address may be based upon a temporaryaddress where the policyholder is staying after the claim. Or thepolicyholder address may be the policyholder's permanent residence.Ecommerce retailer 226 may be, for example, a big box store or a grocerystore that sells the items determined by the CP server 212. Ecommerceretailer server 228 may be configured to receive orders for products,and to ship or deliver those orders directly to a provided address.

In the exemplary embodiment, CP server 212 may receive a listing of asecond plurality of items owned by the policyholder. The secondplurality of items may represent the items owned by the policyholderprior to the event occurring 115. In some embodiments, CP server 212 mayreceive this listing before the event occurs 115. In other embodiments,CP server 212 may receive the listing after the event occurs 115, andsome or all of the items in the second plurality of items are the itemsthat the policyholder is looking to make claim for. CP server 212 maystore the listing of the second plurality of items in association withthe policyholder, potentially in database 220 (shown in FIG. 2 ). CPserver 212 may determine the first plurality of items for thepolicyholder based upon the claim, the second plurality of items, and/orthe plurality of user preferences. By looking at what the policyholderpreviously owned or claimed to own, CP server 212 may determine whichitems the policyholder needs replaced. In some embodiments, the secondplurality of items represents durable goods that the policyholder owned,such as furniture. The first plurality of items may include both durablegoods and household essentials, items that are used up on a regularbasis, including groceries or clothes.

CP server 212 compares the items listed in the second plurality of itemsto those items on a retailer's website. This allows CP server 212 todetermine which items the policyholder owned, where to order theseitems, and/or how much it will cost to replace those items. Based uponthe website, by associating the second plurality of items with items onretailer websites, CP server 212 may generate the first plurality ofitems for the order from the retailer associated with the website. Insome embodiments, CP server 212 identifies the items based uponcommunications with ecommerce retailer server 228.

In one embodiment, CP server 212 may determine which items thepolicyholder owned is through videos and images provided by thepolicyholder. CP server 212 may receive pictures or video of thepolicyholder's residence and possessions. CP server 212 may analyze thepictures or video to recognize one or more items owned by thepolicyholder, such as by using machine learning, deep learning, objectrecognitions, pattern recognition, or optical character recognitiontechniques on image data provided from the policyholder's mobile device.CP server 212 may be able to determine the make and model of televisionowned by the policyholder based upon one or more images of the TV or avideo that the policyholder took. In one embodiment, the images may bepersonal images and video provided by the policyholder. In otherembodiments, the images and video may be professionally produced for thepurpose of generating a personal inventory.

In another embodiment, CP server 212 may receive data from a smart homecontrol system to identify items owned by the policyholder. For example,the smart home system associated with the policyholder's residence mayprovide a listing of the products that are connected to the system, suchas video cameras, smart locks, and thermostat controllers. From thatlist of items, CP server 212 may identify smart home components owned bythe policyholder and add those components to the second plurality ofitems.

In yet another embodiment, CP server 212 may receive data from a Wi-Finetwork associated with the policyholder to determine items and devicesowned by the policyholder. For example, the Wi-Fi network may provideinformation about smartphones, tablets, laptops, printers, IP cameras,and other computer devices that have connected to the Wi-Fi and werepotentially owned by the policyholder. CP server 212 may then add someor all of these devices to the second plurality of items. In someembodiments, CP server 212 may determine the devices that are connectedto the Wi-Fi network based upon network traffic. CP server 212 maydetermine the make and model of the connected devices based uponinformation contained in the message traffic.

In still another embodiment, CP server 212 may determine items owned bythe policyholder based upon the policyholder's purchase history with anonline retailer. For example, CP server 212 may determine that thepolicyholder purchased a certain type of television or chair from theonline retailer. Based upon that purchase, CP server 212 may then addthat exact model from that online retailer to the second plurality ofitems. In some embodiments, the policyholder's purchase history may beprovided by the policyholder. In other embodiments, the policyholder'spurchase history may be provided after a query from CP server 212 toecommerce retailer server 228.

In still further embodiments, CP server 212 may determine the householdessentials to include in the first plurality of items based upon thepolicyholder's purchase history from a plurality of retailers. Forexample, CP server 212 may determine that the policyholder purchasesthree 100-count boxes of trash bags a year. Based upon this information,CP server 212 may determine that the policyholder uses about 30 trashbags a month and orders a number of trash bags for the policyholderaccordingly. CP server 212 may also determine the brand of householdessential that the policyholder purchases on a regular basis to knowwhich brand to place in the first plurality of items. In someembodiments, CP server 212 may query a plurality of ecommerce retailerservers 228 to receive a plurality of purchase histories associated withthe policyholder.

In further embodiments, CP server 212 may determine the householdessentials to include in the first plurality of items based on thepolicyholder's one-touch reordering devices. For example, ifpolicyholder used a one-touch reordering device to automatically reorderlaundry detergent from a retailer. Then CP server 212 may be able toaccess the brand and quantity information from the reorderingpreferences that policyholder has setup with the retailer associatedwith the one-touch reordering device.

In some embodiments, CP server 212 may determine a preliminary claimamount based upon the claim. In other embodiments, CP server 212 maydetermine the preliminary claim amount based upon the claim and thesecond plurality of items. As the items are more accurately recorded,the preliminary claim amount may require less adjustment and the processmay be potentially streamlined.

Once CP server 212 has determined all of the items lost by thepolicyholder and their associated costs, CP server 212 may determine afinal claim amount for the claim. CP server 212 may then apply the ordercost to the final claim amount to reduce the final claim amount. Then CPserver 212 may initiate a transfer of money to the policyholder basedupon the final amount. In some embodiments, CP server 212 may transferthe money to a bank account associated with the policyholder. The bankaccount information may be contained in the user preferences. In otherembodiments, CP server 212 may transfer the money to a payment cardaccount associated with the policyholder. In some further embodiments,the payment card account may be provided to the policyholder after theevent 115. The payment card account may contain the preliminary claimamount or a portion of that amount. CP server 212 may then reduce theamount in the payment card account based upon the order cost.

In some embodiments, the claim may be for a partial loss, for exampleseveral items may have been stolen from the policyholder's vehicle. Inthese embodiments, the first plurality of items that are in the ordermay be all of the items that were stolen from the vehicle. In theseembodiments, CP server 212 may be able to purchase replacement items forthe policyholder and potentially quickly resolve the claim.

Exemplary Client Device

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary configuration of a client computer device214 shown in FIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. User computer device 402 may be operated by a user 401. Usercomputer device 402 may include, but is not limited to, client computerdevices 214 (shown in FIG. 2 ). User computer device 402 may include aprocessor 405 for executing instructions. In some embodiments,executable instructions are stored in a memory area 410. Processor 405may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-coreconfiguration). Memory area 410 may be any device allowing informationsuch as executable instructions and/or transaction data to be stored andretrieved. Memory area 410 may include one or more computer readablemedia.

User computer device 402 may also include at least one media outputcomponent 415 for presenting information to user 401. Media outputcomponent 415 may be any component capable of conveying information touser 401. In some embodiments, media output component 415 may include anoutput adapter (not shown) such as a video adapter and/or an audioadapter. An output adapter may be operatively coupled to processor 405and operatively coupleable to an output device such as a display device(e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), lightemitting diode (LED) display, or “electronic ink” display) or an audiooutput device (e.g., a speaker or headphones).

In some embodiments, media output component 415 may be configured topresent a graphical user interface (e.g., a web browser and/or a clientapplication) to user 401. A graphical user interface may include, forexample, an online store interface for viewing and/or purchasing items,and/or a wallet application for managing payment information. In someembodiments, user computer device 402 may include an input device 420for receiving input from user 401. User 401 may use input device 420 to,without limitation, select and/or enter one or more items to purchaseand/or a purchase request, or to access credential information, and/orpayment information.

Input device 420 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointingdevice, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad ora touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, abiometric input device, and/or an audio input device. A single componentsuch as a touch screen may function as both an output device of mediaoutput component 415 and input device 420.

User computer device 402 may also include a communication interface 425,communicatively coupled to a remote device such as CP server 212 (shownin FIG. 2 ). Communication interface 425 may include, for example, awired or wireless network adapter and/or a wireless data transceiver foruse with a mobile telecommunications network.

Stored in memory area 410 are, for example, computer readableinstructions for providing a user interface to user 401 via media outputcomponent 415 and, optionally, receiving and processing input from inputdevice 420. A user interface may include, among other possibilities, aweb browser and/or a client application. Web browsers enable users, suchas user 401, to display and interact with media and other informationtypically embedded on a web page or a website from CP server 212. Aclient application allows user 401 to interact with, for example, CPserver 212. For example, instructions may be stored by a cloud service,and the output of the execution of the instructions sent to the mediaoutput component 415.

Processor 405 executes computer-executable instructions for implementingaspects of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the processor 405 istransformed into a special purpose microprocessor by executingcomputer-executable instructions or by otherwise being programmed.

Exemplary Server Device

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary configuration of a server 212 shown in FIG.2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Servercomputer device 501 may include, but is not limited to, database server216, CP server 212, and ecommerce retailer server 228 (all shown in FIG.2 ). Server computer device 501 may also include a processor 505 forexecuting instructions. Instructions may be stored in a memory area 510.Processor 505 may include one or more processing units (e.g., in amulti-core configuration).

Processor 505 may be operatively coupled to a communication interface515 such that server computer device 501 is capable of communicatingwith a remote device such as another server computer device 501,ecommerce retailer server 228, or client computer devices 214 (shown inFIG. 2 ). For example, communication interface 515 may receive requestsfrom client computer devices 214 via the Internet, as illustrated inFIG. 2 .

Processor 505 may also be operatively coupled to a storage device 534.Storage device 534 may be any computer-operated hardware suitable forstoring and/or retrieving data, such as, but not limited to, dataassociated with database 220 (shown in FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments,storage device 534 may be integrated in server computer device 501. Forexample, server computer device 501 may include one or more hard diskdrives as storage device 534.

In other embodiments, storage device 534 may be external to servercomputer device 501 and may be accessed by a plurality of servercomputer devices 501. For example, storage device 534 may include astorage area network (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS) system,and/or multiple storage units such as hard disks and/or solid statedisks in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration.

In some embodiments, processor 505 may be operatively coupled to storagedevice 534 via a storage interface 520. Storage interface 520 may be anycomponent capable of providing processor 505 with access to storagedevice 534. Storage interface 520 may include, for example, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA (SATA) adapter, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter, a RAID controller, a SANadapter, a network adapter, and/or any component providing processor 505with access to storage device 534.

Processor 505 may execute computer-executable instructions forimplementing aspects of the disclosure. In some embodiments, theprocessor 505 may be transformed into a special purpose microprocessorby executing computer-executable instructions or by otherwise beingprogrammed. For example, the processor 505 may be programmed with theinstruction such as illustrated in FIG. 3 .

Exemplary Computer Device

FIG. 6 depicts a diagram 600 of components of one or more exemplarycomputing devices 610 that may be used in system 200 shown in FIG. 2 .In some embodiments, computing device 610 may be similar to CP server212 (shown in FIG. 2 ). Database 620 may be coupled with severalseparate components within computing device 610, which perform specifictasks. In this embodiment, database 620 may include listings of durablegoods 622, household essentials 624, user preferences 626, and claims628. In some embodiments, database 620 is similar to database 220 (shownin FIG. 2 ).

Computing device 610 may include the database 620, as well as datastorage devices 630. Computing device 610 may also include acommunication component 640 for receiving 305 a plurality of userpreferences, receiving 310 a request from a user to cover a claim,and/or transmitting 320 an order (all shown in FIG. 3 ). Computingdevice 610 may also include a determining component 650 for determining315 a first plurality of items for the user (shown in FIG. 3 ). Aprocessing component 660 may assist with execution ofcomputer-executable instructions associated with the system.

Exemplary Application

FIG. 7 depicts a mobile device application (“App”) for use with thepresent personal property replacement service 700. The App may beprovided by, or associated with, an insurance provider. The App may alsobe associated with users that have an associated virtual inventory ofpersonal property on file with the insurance provider remote server. Forinstance, the virtual inventory of personal property may be built, withcustomer permission or affirmative consent (for instance, the customermay opt-in to an insurance rewards or other program), from computeranalysis of mobile device images taken of the home, apartment, condo,and/or belongings therein, or from a history of purchases from an onlineretailer, or a brick and mortar retailer (e.g., physical department orgrocery store). The App and/or the insurance provider remote server maydetermine that the customer was impacted (or potentially impacted) by aninsurance-related event, such as by the insurance provider beingcontacted by the customer, or the customer's home having a GPS locationwithin the path (defined by GPS coordinates) of an event (e.g.,hurricane).

The mobile device App may present various information or options to thecustomer after it is determined that the customers have a partial ortotal loss. For instance, as depicted in FIG. 7 , the App may presenticons related to whether the customer wants the insurance provider todirect the shipment of household essentials from a retailer to theirtemporary address 702; send a customized order of goods to theirtemporary address 704; and/or whether they want a reminder sent laterasking them again what items they would like to be sent to theirtemporary address 706. Other icons may be presented, and the icons mayalso be presented for partial loss events, with the goods being shippedto the customer's permanent or home address.

Exemplary Computer Network for Reordering Household Goods

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system 800for reordering household essentials in accordance with process 100 shownin FIG. 1 . In the exemplary embodiment, system 800 may be used forreordering the household goods that were previously determined to beneeded by policyholder.

System 800 may include a remote ordering device 805. Remote orderingdevice 805 may be a physical device which is enabled to access CP server212 using the Internet. More specifically, remote ordering device 805may be communicatively coupled to the Internet through many interfacesincluding, but not limited to, at least one of a network, such as theInternet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or anintegrated services digital network (ISDN), a dial-up-connection, adigital subscriber line (DSL), a cellular phone connection, and a cablemodem. Remote ordering device 805 may include one or more buttons 810,812, 814, and 816. Remote ordering device 805 may be capable oftransmitting a signal to CP server 212 when one of buttons 810, 812,814, and 816 is pressed. In the exemplary embodiment, remote orderingdevice 805 may be a computer device, such as user computer device 402(shown in FIG. 4 ). Buttons 810, 812, 814, and 816 may be physicalbuttons or virtual buttons displayed on a screen of remote orderingdevice 805. The labels for buttons 810, 812, 814, and 816 on remoteordering device 805 may be physical labels, i.e., printed on remoteordering device 805, the labels may be virtual labels displayed on ascreen of remote ordering device 805, and/or may the labels may be acombination of the two.

When bathroom supplies button 810 is pressed, remote ordering device 805may be configured to transmit a signal to CP server 212 to instruct CPserver 212 to reorder bathroom supplies, such as soap, shampoo, andtoilet paper. Button 812 may cause kitchen supplies to be reordered,such as paper towels, paper plates, and dish soap. Button 814 may causelaundry supplies to be reordered, such as detergent and dryer sheets.Button 816 may cause pet supplies to be reordered, such as pet food, pettreats, and litter. When CP server 212 receives a signal from remoteordering device 805 that one of buttons 810-816 has been pressed, CPserver 212 may place an order for the desired household goods throughecommerce retailer server 228 to be delivered to the user at an addressassociated with the user.

In the exemplary embodiment, CP server 212 may store orderingpreferences for remote ordering device 805. The ordering preferences mayinclude the quantity and brand of each item that is associated with oneof the buttons on remote ordering device 805. In some embodiments, CPserver 212 may be configured to reorder one week's worth of goods when abutton is pressed. In other embodiments, each button may have adifferent period of time that the associated goods are for. For example,laundry supplies button 814 may cause one month's worth of supplies tobe reordered, while pressing bathroom supplies button 810 may cause aweek's worth of supplies to be reordered.

In some embodiments, CP server 212 may determine the types andquantities of goods to be ordered for each button. In other embodiments,the policyholder may configure the buttons on remote ordering device805, potentially using client computer device 214 (shown in FIG. 2 ).Furthermore, policyholder may adjust stored reordering preferences usingclient computer device 214 to access CP server 212. In some embodiments,CP server 212 may use the policyholder's previous one-touch reorderinginformation from a retailer to set-up the buttons on remote orderingdevice 805.

In the exemplary embodiment, remote ordering device 805 may be providedto policyholder as a part of the first shipment sent to policyholder'stemporary address and allows policyholder to reorder householdessentials. In at least one embodiment, remote ordering device 805 maybe provided to policyholder before the first shipment of householdessentials and may be used to initiate the first shipment.

Exemplary Embodiments & Functionality

In one embodiment, a computer system for enhanced personal propertyreplacement for total and/or partial loss situations may be provided.The computer system may (i) build a virtual inventory of personalbelongings, such as by performing object recognition techniques onmobile device digital images; (ii) receive a list of user preferencestransmitted from the mobile device associated with a user; (iii) receivea request from the user to cover or handle an insurance claim after aninsurance-related event damages a home partially or completely; (iv)determine a group of items to purchase for the user based upon theclaim, the user preferences, and/or the extent of the home and personalbelonging damage; and/or (v) transmit, to a retailer remote server avirtual order for the group of items to be delivered to the user at atemporary (such as a hotel) or permanent (home) address associated withthe user. Insurance claim monies may be used to pay for the group ofitems. As a result, after an insurance-related event (e.g., fire,tornado, hurricane), household or other goods may be automaticallypurchased and delivered to a customer to alleviate the negative impactof the event on their life.

In some aspects, the present embodiments may relate to acomputer-implemented method of handling loss of use and personalproperty claims that utilizes a combination of a personal propertyinventory, an online retailer (e.g., Amazon, eBay, etc.), amobile/online application, and an altered money movement process inorder to expedite and simplify the customer's experience. A virtualpersonal property inventory may be created. The method may includekeying the items in the inventory to specific purchasable products on anonline retailer. The categorization of those items may be set todistinguish between furniture and other durable goods (tables, chairs,refrigerators, televisions, washer, dryers, appliances, furs, jewelry,antiques, etc.), versus household essentials (light bulbs, paper towels,cleaning supplies, groceries, paper plates, plastic knives and forks,bottled water, soda, milk, orange juice, soup, food, etc.).

In the event of a claim affecting loss of use and/or personal propertydamage, the pre-set list(s) of items may be referenced and ordered fromthe online retailer according to pre-set preferences and/or customizableparameters (both of which may checked and re-set at the time of a claimor event). For example, someone living in temporary housing may elect tohave a month's worth of “household essentials” ordered as a bundled set.Someone living in their new abode may elect to have two months' worth ofhousehold essentials ordered, as well as a sub-set of their previouslyselected furniture (e.g., a particular dining room set, a particularliving room set, three beds and type of linen, type of television,etc.), or previously selected type of clothes (e.g., button downlong-sleeved shorts, dress pants, blue jeans, etc.).

If these items were pre-selected, the customer may have a much simplerexperience than having to shop for things per-item. This process maycycle through multiple iterations, all facilitated through the sameprocess. For example, someone may place multiple orders for “householdessentials,” then some portion of their furniture/durable goods, andsubsequently a complete set of furniture/durable goods at a later date.

A further enhancement may include a “budget” that allocates money intocategories that help a customer spend the right amount on householdgoods, compared to the larger amount of money they will need to replacefurniture, electronics (e.g., computers, televisions, etc.), antiques orpaintings, and fixtures in their new or repaired home. This budget mayserve a secondary purpose as a mechanism for fraud or buildup detection,and/or prevention (i.e., money being spent on goods other than thosethat should be replaced or are household essentials).

An additional component of the present embodiments may be a processwhereby the insurance carrier and the online retailer coordinatetogether to make charges for the replacement of household goods againstthe balance of an estimated claim disbursement, rather than through theintermediary of a customer's credit card or bank account. The onlineretailer may also offer discounted pricing for these bulk orders (eitherto the customer, or to the insurance carrier). After this “emergency”period of debiting the claim disbursement, the remainder of thedisbursement may be made to the customer, per the usual process (i.e.,once claims settlement amounts are established, and the initial fewweeks or days of the loss of use situation is ended). This may also beaccomplished by issuing a unique debit card to a customer, allowing thatperson to “pay down” their eventual settlement balance in a way that isfamiliar to consumers.

In a further enhancement, the customer's order history with an onlineretailer may be kept or queried, to discover (and re-order) the exactitem they had previously owned, perhaps for a full replacement (asopposed to a depreciated settlement amount). The bulk discountnegotiated by the insurance provider may offset the “depreciated” valueof the object, while providing a direct replacement (at no additionalcost to the customer).

In a further enhancement, any partial loss could be considered, inaddition to total losses. For example, the theft of personal propertyfrom a vehicle may be reported and automatically ordered, using theclaims disbursement concept above. This may mimic the on-the-spotsettlement of small claims that the business already does on a regularbasis, but through the newly proposed method.

In a further enhancement, all retailers with whom a customer hastransaction may be prompted to share information on purchases (andpurchase patterns) executed by the customer over a given period of time(i.e., the last two years), as a way of populating an inventory ofdurable goods and typical volume of household essentials per time period(e.g., 3 packages of garbage bags a year). The prior purchasing patternsmay also reveal preferred brands, volumes, and price rangers, which maybe used to modulate the automatic ordering of goods during the loss ofuse period (even if no formal inventory was created by a customer).

In a further enhancement, the personal property inventory may be createdfrom electronic image/video capture, when such capture includesautomatic object recognition or machine learning. For instance, machinelearning, such as object recognition, optical character recognition,combined learning, or pattern recognition techniques may be employed ondigital images of a home and the items therein to identify homefeatures, and type and quantify of personal belongings.

In a further enhancement, data from a “smart home” system (which reportsdata to a central station, including data on its connected components)may be the basis for automatic re-ordering of such a system (and allconnected components—e.g., sensors, automatic locks).

In a further enhancement, data captured through time on a Wi-Fi networkmay be used as the basis for the identification, inventorying andreplacement orders of computers, phones, tablets, other mobile devices,etc. that have been connected to that network. Automatic ordering ofessentials following a homeowners or renters insurance claim thatinvolves loss of use may be provided.

Also, configurable parameters for personal property replacement (e.g.,customer preferences for timing, categories of goods, mailing location)may be provided—such data may be collected remotely via wirelesscommunication from an App running on a customer mobile device. “Backend”handling of finances related to loss of use and personal property (e.g.,drawing against claim disbursement amount directly, rather thaneventually, after a customer has paid out-of-pocket expenses) may beprovided. A debit/credit card that is explicitly designed to draw uponclaim disbursements (current or future settlements) may also be providedto customers. Further, the practice of awarding “actual cash value” forlosses up front, with a separate claims disbursement for “replacementcost” at a later date may be eliminated, and replaced with a one-stepdisbursement process instead of two-step disbursement.

In one aspect, a computer system for enhanced personal propertyreplacement may be provided. The computer system may include at leastone processor, sensor, and/or transceiver in communication with at leastone memory device. The at least one processor, sensor, and/ortransceiver may be programmed to: (1) generate a virtual inventory ofpersonal belongings within an insured property associated with a user(such as (i) by obtaining lists of items bought from virtual or physicalretailers over time, and/or (ii) by inputting mobile device or smarthome controller image data into a trained machine learning program thatis trained to detect types and quantities of household goods and otherpersonal belongings within the insured property, the mobile device orsmart home controller image data being received via wirelesscommunication or data transmission over one or more radio frequencylinks); (2) receive user preferences for goods (detailing type ormanufacturer of preferred household or other goods) transmitted from amobile device associated with a user via wireless communication or datatransmission over one more radio frequency links; (3) receive a requestfrom the user to cover a claim (such as from the user's mobile device),or otherwise detect or determine that the insured property has beendamaged by an insurance-related event and/or estimate an extent ofdamage to the insured property and/or the personal belongings therein(such as from inputting mobile device or smart home controller imagedata into a trained machine learning program that is trained to identifyor estimate an amount of damage to the insured property and/or thepersonal belongings therein); (4) determine a list of items to purchasefor the customer based upon (a) the claim, (b) the user preferences forgoods, and/or (c) the extent of damage to the insured property and/orpersonal belonging estimated; and/or (5) transmit, to a retailer remoteserver associated with a retailer (such as via wireless communication ordata transmission over one or more radio links), an order for the listof items (or at least some of the items therein) that are offered forsale by the retailer to direct the retailer to send the list of items toa preferred address associated with the user to facilitate gettinghousehold and/or other goods promptly to the customer after an eventdamages their primary dwelling. The list of items may be paid for out ofa virtual account that includes monies or a fund created based upon theclaim or the extent of damage to the insured property and/or personalbelongings.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for enhanced personalproperty replacement for total or partial loss situations may beprovided. The method may include: (1) generating, via one or moreprocessors, a virtual inventory of personal belongings within an insuredproperty associated with a user (such as by obtaining lists of itemsbought from virtual or physical retailers over time, and/or by inputtingmobile device or smart home controller image data into a trained machinelearning program that is trained to detect types and quantities ofhousehold goods and other personal belongings within the insuredproperty, the mobile device or smart home controller image data beingreceived via wireless communication or data transmission over one ormore radio frequency links); (2) receiving, via the one or moreprocessors and/or transceivers, user preferences for goods (detailingtype or manufacturer of preferred household or other goods) transmittedfrom a mobile device associated with a user via wireless communicationor data transmission over one more radio frequency links; (3) receiving,via the one or more processors and/or transceivers (such as via wirelesscommunication or data transmission over one or more radio links), arequest from the user to cover a claim (such as from the user's mobiledevice), or otherwise detect or determine that the insured property hasbeen damaged by an insurance-related event and/or estimate an extent ofdamage to the insured property and/or the personal belongings therein(such as from inputting mobile device or smart home controller imagedata into a trained machine learning program that is trained to identifyor estimate an amount of damage to the insured property and/or thepersonal belongings therein); (4) determining, via the one or moreprocessors, a list of items to purchase for the customer based upon (a)the claim, (b) the user preferences for goods, and/or (c) the extent ofdamage to the insured property and/or personal belonging estimated;and/or (5) transmitting, via the one or more processors or transceivers,to a retailer remote server associated with a retailer (such as viawireless communication or data transmission over one or more radiolinks), an order for the list of items (or at least some of the itemstherein) that are offered for sale by the retailer to direct theretailer to send the list of items to a preferred address associatedwith the user to facilitate getting household and/or other goods to thecustomer promptly after an event damages their primary dwelling. Thelist of items may be paid for out of a virtual account that includesmonies or a fund created based upon the claim or extent of damage to theinsured property and/or personal belongings.

Machine Learning & Other Matters

The computer-implemented methods discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate actions, including those discussedelsewhere herein. The methods may be implemented via one or more localor remote processors, transceivers, and/or sensors (such as processors,transceivers, and/or sensors mounted on vehicles or mobile devices, orassociated with smart infrastructure or remote servers), and/or viacomputer-executable instructions stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable media or medium.

Additionally, the computer systems discussed herein may includeadditional, less, or alternate functionality, including that discussedelsewhere herein. The computer systems discussed herein may include orbe implemented via computer-executable instructions stored onnon-transitory computer-readable media or medium.

A processor or a processing element may be trained using supervised orunsupervised machine learning, and the machine learning program mayemploy a neural network, which may be a convolutional neural network, adeep learning neural network, or a combined learning module or programthat learns in two or more fields or areas of interest. Machine learningmay involve identifying and recognizing patterns in existing data inorder to facilitate making predictions for subsequent data. Models maybe created based upon example inputs in order to make valid and reliablepredictions for novel inputs.

Additionally or alternatively, the machine learning programs may betrained by inputting sample data sets or certain data into the programs,such as image, mobile device, vehicle telematics, and/or intelligenthome telematics data. The machine learning programs may utilize deeplearning algorithms that may be primarily focused on patternrecognition, and may be trained after processing multiple examples. Themachine learning programs may include Bayesian program learning (BPL),voice recognition and synthesis, image or object recognition, opticalcharacter recognition, and/or natural language processing—eitherindividually or in combination. The machine learning programs may alsoinclude natural language processing, semantic analysis, automaticreasoning, and/or machine learning.

In supervised machine learning, a processing element may be providedwith example inputs and their associated outputs, and may seek todiscover a general rule that maps inputs to outputs, so that whensubsequent novel inputs are provided the processing element may, basedupon the discovered rule, accurately predict the correct output. Inunsupervised machine learning, the processing element may be required tofind its own structure in unlabeled example inputs. In one embodiment,machine learning techniques may be used to extract the relevant personalbelonging and/or home feature information for customers from mobiledevice sensors, vehicle-mounted sensors, home-mounted sensors, and/orother sensor data, vehicle or home telematics data, image data, and/orother data.

In one embodiment, a processing element may be trained by providing itwith a large sample of conventional analog and/or digital, still and/ormoving (i.e., video) image data, telematics data, and/or other data ofbelongings, household goods, durable goods, appliances, electronics,homes, etc. with known characteristics or features. Such information mayinclude, for example, make or manufacturer and model information.

Based upon these analyses, the processing element may learn how toidentify characteristics and patterns that may then be applied toanalyzing sensor data, vehicle or home telematics data, image data,mobile device data, and/or other data. For example, the processingelement may learn, with the customer's permission or affirmativeconsent, to identify the type and number of goods within the home,and/or purchasing patterns of the customer, such as by analysis ofvirtual receipts, customer virtual accounts with online or physicalretailers, mobile device data, interconnect home data, interconnectedvehicle data, etc. For the goods identified, a virtual inventory ofpersonal items or personal articles may be maintained current andup-to-date. As a result, at the time of an event that damages thecustomer's home or goods, providing prompt and accurate service to thecustomer may be provided—such as accurate insurance claim handling, andprompt replacement of damaged items for the customer.

Additional Considerations

As will be appreciated based upon the foregoing specification, theabove-described embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented usingcomputer programming or engineering techniques including computersoftware, firmware, hardware or any combination or subset thereof. Anysuch resulting program, having computer-readable code means, may beembodied or provided within one or more computer-readable media, therebymaking a computer program product, i.e., an article of manufacture,according to the discussed embodiments of the disclosure. Thecomputer-readable media may be, for example, but is not limited to, afixed (hard) drive, diskette, optical disk, magnetic tape, semiconductormemory such as read-only memory (ROM), and/or any transmitting/receivingmedium, such as the Internet or other communication network or link. Thearticle of manufacture containing the computer code may be made and/orused by executing the code directly from one medium, by copying the codefrom one medium to another medium, or by transmitting the code over anetwork.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, “apps”, or code) include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including amachine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as amachine-readable signal. The “machine-readable medium” and“computer-readable medium,” however, do not include transitory signals.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

As used herein, a processor may include any programmable systemincluding systems using micro-controllers, reduced instruction setcircuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logiccircuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing thefunctions described herein. The above examples are example only, and arethus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning ofthe term “processor.”

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by aprocessor, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROMmemory, and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexample only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memory usablefor storage of a computer program.

In one embodiment, a computer program is provided, and the program isembodied on a computer readable medium. In an exemplary embodiment, thesystem is executed on a single computer system, without requiring aconnection to a sever computer. In a further embodiment, the system isbeing run in a Windows® environment (Windows is a registered trademarkof Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). In yet another embodiment,the system is run on a mainframe environment and a UNIX® serverenvironment (UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open Company Limitedlocated in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom). The application isflexible and designed to run in various different environments withoutcompromising any major functionality.

In some embodiments, the system includes multiple components distributedamong a plurality of computing devices. One or more components may be inthe form of computer-executable instructions embodied in acomputer-readable medium. The systems and processes are not limited tothe specific embodiments described herein. In addition, components ofeach system and each process can be practiced independent and separatefrom other components and processes described herein. Each component andprocess can also be used in combination with other assembly packages andprocesses.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and precededby the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” ofthe present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate therecited features.

The patent claims at the end of this document are not intended to beconstrued under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being expressly recited in the claim(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples areintended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structuralelements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, orif they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantialdifferences from the literal language of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A computer system for enhanced personal propertyreplacement, the computer system including at least one processor incommunication with at least one memory device, the at least oneprocessor is programmed to: receive an insurance claim related to aresidence location of a user including a set of items to be replaced;receive wireless traffic from a Wi-Fi network associated with a user;identify one or more devices connected to the Wi-Fi network based uponthe wireless traffic; generate an index of a first plurality of itemsfor the user by performing a lookup in the at least one memory device,the first plurality of items based upon the set of items to be replacedand the one or more devices; and without further input from the user,automatically transmit, from the computer system to a retailer computerdevice associated with a retailer, an electronic order message for thefirst plurality of items with the retailer based on automaticallyaccessing the index.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one processor is further programmed to: receive a listing of asecond plurality of items owned by the user; store the listing of thesecond plurality of items in association with the user; and determinethe first plurality of items for the user based upon the claim and thesecond plurality of items.
 3. The computer system of claim 2, whereinthe at least one processor is further programmed to associate each itemof the second plurality of items with an item on a website associatedwith the retailer, wherein the website is hosted on an ecommerceretailer server associated with the retailer.
 4. The computer system ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:receive one or more images of items owned by the user; analyze the oneor more images using one or more of object recognition, patternrecognition, and optical character recognition techniques; and determinethe second plurality of items based upon the analysis of the one or moreimages.
 5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the one or moreimages are at least one of an electronic image and a video.
 6. Thecomputer system of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor isfurther programmed to: receive data from a smart home control systemassociated with the user; identify one or more components included inthe smart home system based upon the data; and add the one or morecomponents to the second plurality of items.
 7. The computer system ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:query an online retailer for a purchase history associated with theuser; determine one or more items owned by the user based upon thepurchase history; and add the one or more items to the second pluralityof items based upon the purchase history.
 8. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein the first plurality of items includes householdessentials.
 9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further programmed to: query a plurality of onlineretailers for purchase histories associated with the user; analyze theplurality of purchase histories to determine a plurality of householdessentials regularly used by the user; and add the plurality ofhousehold essentials to the first plurality of items.
 10. The computersystem of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is furtherprogrammed to: determine purchase patterns for one or more householdessentials of the plurality of household essentials based upon theplurality of purchase histories, wherein the purchase pattern includes aquantity ordered for a period of time; determine a quantity for each ofthe one or more household essentials based upon the purchase patterns;and adjust the first plurality of items based upon the determinedquantities of the one or more household essentials.
 11. The computersystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherprogrammed to calculate a preliminary claim amount based upon the claim.12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the order includes an ordercost and wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:determine a final claim amount for the claim; and reduce the final claimamount by the order cost.
 13. The computer system of claim 12, whereinthe at least one processor is further programmed to transmit an amountof money to the user based upon the final amount.
 14. The computersystem of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is furtherprogrammed to: transfer the preliminary claim amount to a payment cardaccount associated with the user; and deduct the order cost from thepayment card account.
 15. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one processor is further programmed to determine a current addressdesignated by the user based on one or more user preferences and therequest, wherein the current address designated by the user is not thesame as the residence location, and wherein the first plurality of itemsare shipped to the current address.
 16. The computer system of claim 1,wherein the retailer is an online retailer and the order is transmittedthrough an online website associated with the online retailer.
 17. Thecomputer system of claim 1, wherein the claim is for a partial loss andwherein the first plurality of items includes a plurality of itemsassociated with the claim.
 18. The computer system of claim 1, wherein aplurality of user preferences include a temporary address associatedwith the user that is different from a primary residence associated withthe user.
 19. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the userpreferences include one or more items and where the one or more itemsare added to the first plurality of items.
 20. A computer-based methodfor enhanced personal property replacement, the method implemented on aclaim processing (“CP”) server including at least one processor incommunication with at least one memory device, the method comprising:receiving, at the CP server, an insurance claim related to a residencelocation of a user including a set of items to be replaced; receivingwireless traffic from a Wi-Fi network associated with the user;identifying one or more devices connected to the Wi-Fi network basedupon the wireless traffic; generating, by the CP server, an index of afirst plurality of items for the user by performing a lookup in the atleast one memory device, the first plurality of items based upon the setof items to be replaced and the one or more devices; and without furtherinput from the user, automatically transmitting, from the CP server to aretailer computer device associated with a retailer, an electronic ordermessage for the first plurality of items with the retailer based onautomatically accessing the index.